Module Identifier BSM0110  
Module Title EIA THEORY AND PRACTICE  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Professor Peter Wathern  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Alan Bond  
Course delivery Lecture   20 Hours x 1 hour  
  Case Study   4 x 3 hours  
  Seminar   11 Hours x 1 hour by external lecturers  
Assessment Continuous assessment   Students will be required to prepare a short write up of their review of an EIS.   40%  
  Essay   3,000 Words   60%  
Further details http://aber.ac.uk/environment  

Syllabus


1. EIA in the context of Environmental Management
2. The need for EIA   
3. The EIA process.
4. Screening
5. Scoping
6. EIA methods I
7. EIA methods II
8. The EIS
9. Data in EIA
10 EIS Review   
11. Post Project Appraisal
12. Public participation
13. Project management I
14. Project Mnanagement II
15. NEPA & the mini NEPAs
16. UK procedures
17. Canadian EIA & Participator Funding
18. Implementing the Directive in the EU
19. Malaysian procedures
20. Future developments


External speakers provide an important input into the module, discussing how EIA fits into their particular area of work. External seminars are given on a weekly basis and their contributions are considered examinable.


Case Studies


Midshires - data requirements in environmental management Review of an EIS
Screening - decision making about the need for an EIS
Scoping - drawing up Terms of Reference for an EIA

Aims and objectives


To make students aware of the need for EIA and the practical instruments that have been put in place around the world to achieve its objectives.


On completion of the course, students should be able to design an EIA system which incorporates the key elements of the EIA process. In addition, students should be able to identify the appropriate resources needed for a particular EIA and to manage that project on time and with an understanding of budgetary constraints

Content


A brief historical review will indicate the range of environmental problems that arise when projects are undertaken without being subject to EIA and indicate where EIA fits within the overall environmental management framework. The nature of the EIA process will be reviewed and its individual components will be analysed in detail. These include scoping, screening, the production of the EIS and review. The role of the project co-ordinator in EIA will be discussed in detail along with an analysis of the importance of public participation. Finally, the procedures that have been adopted around the world to give effect to the EIA process will be discussed.

Reading Lists

Books
Wathern P. (ed). (1994) Environmental Impact Assessment: Theory and Practice. Routledge, London
Glasson, J., Therivel,R. and Chadwick, A.. (1995) An Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment. UCL Press, London
Wood, C.. (1995) Environmental Impact Assessment: A Comparative Review. Longman, Harlow, Essex.